Comparison of Sleep Quality in Pregnant Women With Preeclampsia and Control: A Case-Control Study

Preeclampsia is a common complication of the second half of pregnancy. Sleep disorders can cause high blood pressure by causing oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, the present study was performed to determine the relationship between sleep disorders and preeclampsia.

This is a case-control study that was performed on 240 women referred to the affiliated university hospitals in Mashhad. Sampling was performed in the case group of hospitalized women with a definite diagnosis of preeclampsia (n=90) and in the control group (n=150) among pregnant women without preeclampsia referred to the obstetrics clinic. Data collection tools included demographic information questionnaire and gynecological/obstetric records, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire and clinical evaluation form to determine the symptoms and severity of preeclampsia. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software (version 22) and Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Fisher tests. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.

The present paper is the result of a research project approved by the Vice-Chancellor for Research of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.MUMS.NURSE.REC.1397.042).

The mean amount of real sleep at night in the group of healthy individuals (8.4±2.3) was significantly higher than patients (8.0± 2.2) (P = 0.028). In terms of loud snoring, waking up in the middle of the night was most frequent in the affected group (P <0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of sleep quality score level (P <0.001) based on logistic regression test in women with severe sleep problems at risk of preeclampsia (P <0.001, 95% CI 2.9-42.2, OR : 11 / 11) (11/11) was equal compared to healthy women.

The present study showed that sleep disorders in pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia.